term:

Conviction

conviction n

1 : the act or process of convicting
;also
: the final judgment entered after a finding of guilt [a prior of murder] [would not overturn the ] compare acquittal NOTE: Jurisdictions differ as to what constitutes conviction for various statutes (as habitual offender statutes). Conviction is rarely applied to civil cases.
2 : guilt [the judge will enter a judgment of "W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel"]

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.